Production Manager jobs in Lowell, MA

About Us

At Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition, we are making significant advances in food and health with new ideas and innovative technologies. We are seeking candidates with energy and enthusiasm to be part of our growing team throughout North America. As an Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition employee, you are part of a diverse, innovative, and collaborative community committed to enhancing lives through nutrition and health. Our team is committed to providing amino acid-based solutions that create better lives for all.

Overview

• Oversee manufacturing processes to meet/exceed daily safety, quality, productivity, cost, and team development daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual targets.
• Use Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure process performance and run-to-target results.
• When targets are not met, follow the Plan-Do-Check-Act model to systematically analyze the root cause of failure and implement sustainable solutions to eliminate problems.
• Facilitate the implementation of continuous improvement programs to improve manufacturing efficiencies, eliminate waste, increase throughput, and schedule compliance.
• Promote a culture of team member involvement in all areas of manufacturing
• Supervise, coach, and train members of the manufacturing team members
• Ensure all regulatory requirements are met including but not limited to quality, regulatory, supply chain, product development, finance, customer service, etc.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, business or engineering field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years supervisory/management experience in a manufacturing environment required.  Food and Beverage manufacturing a plus.
• Exposure to implementing continuous improvement, employee involvement techniques, change management.
• Implementation experience of Lean Manufacturing techniques

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated people skills and ability to motivate and maintain a positive working environment
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Working knowledge of Daily Management Systems and Lean Manufacturing techniques to eliminate waste
• Basis understanding of OSHA and FDA regulations
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and familiarity with standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Ability to transfer technical knowledge to practical applications
• Ability to lead and implement change while maintaining a high level of employee engagement
• Excellent follow-up skills and ability to drive results while building strong team involvement

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work is performed primarily in a food/beverage manufacturing environment
• Ability to work extended days and/or weekends as needed
• Work must be performed in a safe manner for personal protection and for the protection of other team members.
• All safety, quality, and environmental procedures must be followed, enforced, and strictly complied with.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to lift 50lbs
• Ability to stand, walk on concrete floors for ~8 hours
• Ability to walk, bend, reach, stoop, climb stairs/ladders
• Ability to wear all protective equipment

Responsibilities

• Ensures that finished products are consistently manufactured meeting prescribed standards (compliant) with safety, quality, and good manufacturing practices, on time, and meeting patient expectations
• Ensures delivery of business objectives through the execution of standard processes, workflows, and resource management
• Leads daily management processes (cascading/escalation) for alignment with the objectives in the short term (Gambas, Team Huddles), Weekly Operational Reviews, and Monthly Operational reviews for medium and long term to achieve production plans
• Identify and achieve performance improvements through gap analysis and root-cause techniques
• Motivate, guide, support, and coach the resources to achieve objectives
• Elaborates and executes workforce development program that will provide appropriate flexibility of workforce and assets
• Focuses on material availability, finished goods quality, and on-time delivery through optimal resource allocation
• Provides timely feedback and coaching to individuals and teams to develop them to their full potential and to achieve objectives
• Ensure succession plans and development - coaching of direct reports (where applicable) including the development of specific training
• Promotes and enhances a positive labor-management relationship including efforts to continuously improve teamwork and establish high levels of employee involvement
• Leads a continuous improvement/employee involvement culture
• Drive for excellence and support operators and staff in their tasks focusing on the safety of people
• Ensure the timely launch of new products to the Market as per agreement with the business unit
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor

EEO Statement

Ajinomoto Cambrooke, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer-Vets/Disabled, committed to a diverse workforce.  If you need assistance with completion of an application for employment, please contact Human Resources Department at 978-862-1980.